Foreign Affair ›› n.h. mature

Thirty-One

Olivia Allen

Two weeks later

This day came way faster than I needed it to. Niall and I are leaving today to go to Ireland for Easter weekend with his family. It's Good Friday so we have a three day weekend with them and I'm terrified.

At first when he asked me, I was ecstatic. Because it means he really loves me if he isn't worried about introducing me to his parents.

But then it hit me. He is introducing me to his parents.

I have to impress them. I have to make them like me.

How what why huh? I'm so nervous! What if I say something stupid? What if they hate me? What if they tell him they don't think we're a good match? Let's be honest, family does have good instincts when it comes to that type of thing.

That whole "I don't care if you guys don't love her, I do" thing looks a lot more romantic and cute in the movies than in real life. Who really wants to be with someone their family doesn't like? Who wants to know their boyfriend's parents don't like them? That's why I want to make a good impression. I'm nervous.

These last two weeks since we returned from France have been subpar. Being abroad has still been great but Niall and I haven't gotten a lot of time together. I had a busy two weeks with class, he had a busy two weeks with the band.

Right now I would really love to stay at his apartment all weekend, just us two, and postpone this whole family shebang till next weekend. Sorry Jesus, would you mind rising next weekend? Wow that was a totally bad joke. Sorry Jesus, I love you! See! What if I say dumb shit like that to his parents? Ugh!

In all seriousness, I want some time for just the two of us. But it will have to wait.

The plane touched down in Dublin and his family was going to be picking us up. I gathered all my things, making sure nothing was in the seat back pocket, and tried to not worry about meeting them.

Niall must have been able to sense my uneasiness even though I hadn't admitted my fears to him.

He grabbed my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I don't know why you are acting so nervous."

"What if they hate me?" It was the first time I'd voiced this concern.

He just laughed. He actually laughed. "They won't hate you! You always think of the worst case scenario." He was giggly and bubbly. He must be really excited to see them. "You are a wonderful person and they will love you because I love you."

We wheeled our bags off of the jetway and through the airport and once we made it out, his dad was easy to spot. Relief washed over me when I realized that it was just his dad here right now. This way I can meet the family in stages, not all at once.

"Da!"

"Niall!" They embraced. "It's so good to see you." He hugged him tighter. You could tell Niall doesn't come home often.

"Dad, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Olivia. Olivia, this is my father Bobby." (A/N: For the record, I read it as "me fader" or however you spell his cute little accent, I'm just too OCD for the spelling errors. So please read it in his accent like I do if you want.)

"Hi! You can call me Liv." I reached out to shake his hand.

"Call me Bobby. Wow that's a firm handshake you've got there," he commented.

Niall laughed. "I know. Americans, right?"

I gave a nervous laugh. Great. Now he thinks I'm butch.